Rupa Goswami initiated Jiva Goswami and Jiva became very dear to his guru. Once a powerful scholar named Rupa Narayana came to Vrindavan. His false ego was even greater than his knowledge. He had a jaya patra, a certificate where any one he defeated had to sign. He heard the glories of Rupa Goswami and Sanatana Goswami and very proudly challenged them to a debate. Rather than wasting time in debating they happily signed the jaya patra in great humility. Then he approached Jiva Goswami and asked him to sign as well. Jiva Gosvami was least concerned but in order to protect the dignity of his Gurus, he accepted the challenge. They sat on the banks of the Yamuna for seven days and Jiva Goswami thoroughly defeated him. When the news came to Rupa Goswami, he understood Jiva Goswami’s intentions of selfless service to protect the dignity of our sampradaya. But he wanted to teach the world through his disciple. He rebuked Jiva and told him, “Vrindavan is not a place for any one with pride in their heart. You must leave Vrindavan.” Jiva Goswami did not argue. Rather he felt in the core of his heart, “Yes. I have false pride in my heart. I don’t deserve to be here.”
He went to Mathura and lived in a little straw hut on the bank of the Yamuna performing severe austerities to atone for his offense. With tears in his eyes, he was constantly crying out the holy names of Krishna. He was praying to become humble like a blade of grass in a way that he could actually please his guru and be qualified to live in Vrindavan. Sanatana Goswami happened to be travelling through Mathura and saw the state of Jiva Goswami. He then told Rupa Goswami, “One of the prime teachings of Lord Caitanya is Jiva daya, compassion to jivas.” And Rupa Goswami knew exactly what he meant. Rupa Goswami brought Jiva back and personally nursed him back to health. Through Jiva, Rupa Goswami taught the world the greatness of a true Vaishnava and Jiva Goswami taught the world the faithfulness and loyalty of a disciple in protecting the dignity of the guru parampara.
– Radhanath Swami
Wonderful teachings through the Guru and his disciple i.e Rupa Goswami and Jiva Goswami.
wow.. amazing guru and amazing disciple.
Radhanath swami deeply explaining teaching of Guru and disciple relation. Thank you for shearing.
HH Radhanath Swami is teaching very nice lesson through Guru and disciple reationship.
Such a profound lesson is found in the lives of great souls.. thanks to Radhanath Swami for sharing it
such amazing relationship between guru and disciple is very rare to see in this world. Very inspiring article thanks to Radhanath maharaj for sharing.
Even though being such a thorough scholar, it is heartening and inspiring to see Jiva goswami’s humility, we do not know anything still we have such pride in our hearts. thank u very much for sharing this wonderful article.
Nice article..
Guru is like thunderbolt when the need be, and disciple is also like thunderbolt when their is a need to protect Guru’s dignity. Great lesson.
Wonderful pastime. Rupa goswami teaches the world the principle of real humility & pridelessness through his own dear disciple Jiva Goswami. All glories to the six goswami of vrindavan.
Hearing such intimate pastimes of the Goswamis being narrated by Radhanath Swami is real nectar.
Humility of a vaishnava is such a rare gem like quality. Jiva Goswami was so humble that he truely believed and accepted his guru’s words as it is without any argument even though he was never proud of defeating Rupa Narayan. Thank you Radhanath swami for sharing this un-earthly treasure with us
Exemplary Guru and exemplary disciple….this life will be a success if a drop of these qualities are developed.
Heart touching pastime….
Wonderful article..
Amazing story.. the ideals established by both the guru and disciple are exemplary. Thanks to Radhanath Swami for sharing the story.
Goswamis of Vrindavan dham have dedicate their whole lief in the service of the humanity. By their own examples, they showed true heart of a pure devotee. Everyone loved them and even mughals of that time also kept them at the core of their hearts. Really, they were true devotees of the Lord. Thank you very much Radhanath Swami for sharing their glories.
Thank you very much HH Radhanath Swami Maharaj
Thanx a lot HH Radhanath Swami for explaining relation ship with Guru
Jai…..a excellent article which shows the loving exchanges between guru & disciple.
Srila Prabhupad saya a vaishnava should be very soft and humble to the devotees of the lord and like thunderbolt to those who blaspheme the devotees or lord. Radhanath Swami Maharaj explained this by the wonderful answer.
Very heart-touching story with a lot of lessons to be learnt.
Nice article..
Thank you for sharing…
I wish i can imbibe this wonderful lesson taught by Radhanath Swami Maharaja !!
Wonderful article .. thank you for sharing this..
Rupa Goswami and Jiva Goswami are the ideal examples of loving spiritual master and faithful disciple. Rupa Goswami taught the world the greatness of a true Vaishnava and Jiva Goswami taught the world the faithfulness and loyalty of a disciple in protecting the dignity of the guru parampara.
Jiva Goswami is such a perfect example of humility as this wonderful story proves. Inspite of being rebuked when his motive was correct, he did not argue with his Guru.
All glories to disciplic succession.
All glories to such a relationship
Bonafide Guru and bonafide disciple. All instructtive valueable Story. All glories to HH Radhanatha Svami Maharaja.
This narration from the lives of great Vaishnavas is really touching. It graphically demonstrates the mood and the humility of Vaishnavas. Thank you Radhanath Swami for sharing such a wonderful and instructive incidence for Jiva Goswami and Rupa Goswami’s life.
Glorious examples here of humility and of a disciple’s acceptance of the authority of spiritual master. Many thanks to for sharing this inspiring pastime from Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Goal of life is to try to follow in the footsteps of the great saints. Radhanath Swami is so expertly putting forth the same.
Wonderful episode from a wonderful scripture…..
Great examples of humility and disciple’s acceptance of the authority of spiritual master.
There are so many important lessons that can be learnt from the lives of Acharyas.
Thanks for sharing this inspiring pastime from Radhanath Swami Maharaj.
Very informative with wonderful realizations!
These loving exchanges described by HH Radhanath swami maharaj are transcendental.these personalities are Manjiris. Just to teach us by their pastimes just to shower mercy upon us. Thank u maharaj
Exemplary pastime of great Saints….! This upholds the integrity of Guru-disciple relationship. Thank You Maharaj for sharing this jewel….!